A Letter from the Co-Founders & CivStart Board

Over the last seven years, we’ve had the privilege of working with hundreds of public-sector leaders and mission-driven founders. Together, we’ve helped surface challenges, accelerate solutions, and strengthen trust in the process.

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After deep reflection, our board has approved a values-driven closeout of the CivStart nonprofit. 

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After 7 years of enormous impact in ecosystem building, accelerator cohorts, and national programming and partnership, the board and co-founders  concluded that Civstart’s next phase of work required a different organizational structure than a traditional 501(c)(3).  In parallel, the co-founders are narrowing their focus to the parts of the work where they can have the greatest impact,  especially trusted matchmaking between public-sector leaders and startups. Taken together, these factors led to the decision to responsibly close the nonprofit and ensure a smooth transition for partners and stakeholders.

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From the beginning, we believed that government works best when public-sector leaders and civic-minded founders are informed, connected, and empowered. Together with our alumni, partners, mentors, and supporters, we built an ecosystem grounded in trust, collaboration, and a shared commitment to helping governments better serve their communities. For your partnership, your energy, and the belief you placed in this mission, we offer our deepest gratitude.

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Reflecting on our journey, we are proud of what we accomplished together: hundreds of local leaders supported; dozens of startups grown into successful, resident-centered companies; and meaningful public-sector innovations catalyzed across the country. None of this would have been possible without the dedication, integrity, and leadership of the people who made up the CivStart community.

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As we close this chapter, we also recognize that the work of strengthening government capacity and fostering meaningful public innovation remains urgent. Even as the nonprofit concludes its operations, our commitment to the ecosystem only evolves into new forms. Our co-founders will remain deeply engaged in this work through CivStart Ventures and other avenues, and our board members will continue mentoring founders, advising leaders, and championing public-sector innovation across the country.

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What won’t change is the community. Our alumni, mentors, and government partners built something enduring together. We’ll keep the site up through 2026 to point you to the best resources and peers across the ecosystem, and you’ll continue to see us doing this work in new and familiar settings, including CivStart Ventures.

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Thank you for the faith you placed in us—and for the work you do every day for residents.

With gratitude,
Anthony, Nick, Sarah, and the CivStart Board of Directors